Jessica Sanchez, 16, could break the four-year streak of male American Idol winners.

Jessica Sanchez, 16, could break the four-year streak of male American Idol winners.

Photo: Michael Becker

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The best finals matchup would pit Joshua Ledet against Jessica Sanchez.

The best finals matchup would pit Joshua Ledet against Jessica Sanchez.

Photo: Michael Becker

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Heejun Han has more than personality going for him.

Heejun Han has more than personality going for him.

Photo: Michael Becker

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Hollie Cavanagh, the only Texan in the running, could make an early exit.

Hollie Cavanagh, the only Texan in the running, could make an early exit.

Photo: Michael Becker

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Our critic doesn t expect Jeremy Rosado to last more than a few weeks.

Our critic doesn t expect Jeremy Rosado to last more than a few weeks.

Photo: Michael Becker

Perfect 'Idol' pairing: Sanchez vs. Ledet

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"American Idol" needs help. And the flagging show is betting on 13 as its lucky number.

Ratings have been sliding this season (though last week's final selections enjoyed an 18 percent boost in the key 18-49 demographic). But beyond numbers, "Idol" seems to have lost much of its "water-cooler" charm. Blame it on surging competitor "The Voice" and its blind auditions; and on judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, who have traded honest criticism for syrupy life coaching.

Label exec Jimmy Iovine injected the show with some much-needed snap during his brief assessments of each singer - most of which were dead-on. I say add him to the panel. Let's also ban Adele songs, get a new stylist and stop trying to fit singers into casting slots (country girl, gospel belter, 'tween dream). Let America truly decide.

That said, this season's top 13 do offer glimmers of hope. Here's a breakdown of the voices angling for the title. The girls tackle Whitney HoustonWednesday night, and the boys take on Stevie Wonder.

• Jessica Sanchez: Without question, the one to beat. Sanchez, just 16 years old, has a powerful, passionate voice reminiscent at times of Jennifer Hudson. She's also a natural onstage and impossibly adorable, with a fervent online following. The four-year streak of underwhelming male winners needs to come to an end, and Sanchez is the one who could do it.

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• Joshua Ledet: The Louisiana boy auditioned in Houston and separated himself from the pack in Hollywood with his searing take on Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts." He's far and away the strongest male voice in the running. In a perfect world, he'd battle Sanchez for the crown. But America tends to muck things up near the end.

• Heejun Han: Personality goes a long way in this competition, exemplified by Han's popularity. But don't underestimate him. That goofy, sarcastic charm is a fierce weapon. And when he's on point, he's a skilled, soulful singer. Team Heejun!

• Shannon Magrane: Several of this year's semifinal girls ruined their chances with pageanty images and performances. Magrane, however, managed to make it through. She's not a bad singer, but she's inconsistent. And at 16, she's no match for the far superior Sanchez. But pretty can carry you far.

• Colton Dixon: The comeback kid almost made the top 24 in season 10, and this second shot is clearly deserved. Dixon's edge is that he's much more in line with current music trends than most of the competition. But he might get lost in the shuffle of more dynamic voices.

• Skylar Laine: Country ruled "Idol" last year, so it's easy to see why Laine made the cut. But she's much more interesting than Scotty McCreery or Lauren Alaina - and could probably kick both their butts. At best - her fantastic take on Faces tune "Stay With Me" - Laine is reminiscent of Texas superstar Miranda Lambert.

• Phil Phillips: His original audition, a gritty take on Michael Jackson's "Thriller," was quirky and entertaining. But Phillips needs to be careful to not veer too far into novelty. We don't need another Soul Patrol, thank you very much.

• Hollie Cavanagh: The only Texas girl in the running is from McKinney by way of the U.K. She narrowly missed the semifinals last year. Cavanagh can belt with the best of them, but her challenge will be to overcome her nerves and inject personality into her performances. Otherwise, she might make an early exit.

• DeAndre Brackensick: Another returning hopeful. Brackensick has a gorgeous, flexible voice and was Tyler's wildcard pick for the top 13. He clearly deserves to be there, but he needs to be smart about song choice and pull back on the falsetto. It doesn't need to be in every performance.

• Erika Van Pelt: "Idol" is as much about image as talent, no matter what Randy Jackson says. And this girl needs a "What Not to Wear" intervention. If she wants to make the most of her wildcard pick, she needs to pick songs that show all the tones in her smoky voice. And never again wear a purple dress with black pantyhose.

• Jermaine Jones: The "gentle giant" earned lots of love from viewers for his deep-as-a-well voice and sweet relationship with his mother. Still, his appearance in the top 13 is a small surprise. But he'll likely stick around awhile.

• Elise Testone: In the battle of Adele covers, Testone won out over the woefully unprepared Jen Hirsh. Testone has a lovely rasp and seems to understand how to truly interpret a song. Now, she just needs to give us a real knockout performance.

• Jeremy Rosado: It's hard not to root for Lopez's wildcard pick, who broke down in tears before and after he was ushered into the top 13. Rosado has a lovely voice and an endearing personality. But I can't see him lasting past the first few weeks.